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ROOSTERS coach Trent Robinson believes Mitchell Pearce carried self-inflicted pressure into the Origin decider, but has backed the maligned half to "keep fighting until the end".

A day after club chairman Nick Politis launched a passionate defence of Pearce from overseas, the Roosters' rearguard continued with Robinson and skipper Anthony Minichiello hitting back at critics who claim the 24-year-old's State of Origin career is now finished.

Pearce predicted as much prior to the decider, declaring he would be "gone" if NSW didn't win.

The tears he shed after the two-point loss revealed great distress over the outcome, forcing the Roosters to rally behind their chief playmaker with a series of meetings when he returned to Moore Park on Thursday.

Robinson agreed that Pearce had burdened himself with additional pressure after speaking so honestly.

The coach also revealed his four Origin representatives - James Maloney, Michael Jennings, Boyd Cordner and Pearce - would be given a four-day holiday following Saturday night's game against Cronulla at Allianz Stadium.

"People have questioned that and rightly so," Robinson said of Pearce's pre-Origin comments. "It put some pressure on him.

"But that's the reason why we love Mitch - he's honest.

Mitchell PearceSource:The Daily Telegraph

"He speaks the truth and doesn't have any agendas.

"We trust him because of that.

"He put some pressure on himself and he's wearing it now."

Following several conversations with Pearce, Robinson said the No. 7 was feeling more sorry for NSW than himself.

"He has not talked about himself," Robinson said.

"He's genuinely disappointed for NSW.

"When you see that (crying) on TV, you've got so much pride for the guy.

"He'll work hard on his game and keep fighting until the end."

Minichiello found the sight of his Roosters team-mate in tears "upsetting".

"I had a really good chat to him two days before the game and he thought the preparation was second to none," Minichiello said.

"Then you come up two points short ... there's going to be disappointment across the park."

In his debut season as a head NRL coach, Robinson admitted that he would have to learn on the fly about how to handle the post-Origin hangover.

He did not contemplate resting any of his Blues quartet from Saturday night's game, instead opting to let them rest completely for all but two sessions heading into next Sunday's clash against Newcastle.

But while all four Origin stars will back up, the Sharks will be spared from facing Sonny Bill Williams, who couldn't quite recover in time from a hamstring strain.

Robinson predicted Williams would be fit for the round 20 clash against the Knights.

It will be the first match Williams has missed since returning to the NRL this season following his stint in rugby union.

Mitchell Aubusson is expected to come off the five-man bench to replace Williams in the starting side.

Cronulla are without their three most senior stars: Paul Gallen (foot), Luke Lewis (ribs) and Wade Graham (shoulder).

Their absence has cleared the way for in-form pivot Todd Carney to captain the Sharks against his old team-mates.

"He'll be running the show, calling the shots and marshalling the forwards around," Minichiello said. "He's the man we have to stop."